Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Will a 3'L 2'W 2'H custom built tank be ok to house a pair of collardes? What is the bare minimum?

Hi Dazz,

The size of your custom built tank would be perferct as a minimum sized tank for a pair of Collareds. The larger the tank the better and the size of your tank is the dimensions for a 40 gallon tank which would work for a trio (1 male and 2 females)and for a pair it would be great for them. You also mentioned in a couple of other postings you are looking for a pair. Myself like several others here on the forum breed them. I still have some jouveniles from last year. Also, you wanted to know how to tell the difference between males and females. Probably the easiest way is to look on the underside of the tail. Females have 2 melonomic spots (dark spots) one on each side at the base of the tail just before the vent. Males do not have the spots. Depending on the species the spots can be very light or darker in color. On males in the area where the females have the melonomic spots they will have the hemipenile bulges, one on each side at the base of the tail just before the vent. Males normally have much larger heads and more of a triangular shape than the females and usually grow larger in size overall. Additionally, males have much larger femoral pores on the underside of their back legs, males are usually much more colorful (but not always so, some females are just as beautifully colored as some males and have spectacular shades of blues, greens, yellows which sometimes people get confused and think they are males). Also, adult males will fight each other, especially in breeding season (so only one adult male can be kept in your tank). Once you have kept them for a while and you observe them you 'll be able to tell the differences but looking at the underneath of the tail near the vent and seeing the 2 spots on the females is probably the easiest way. Although I haven't observed all types of Collared lizards most species from what I know have the spots. Sorry for rambling on, and I hope this helps.

Jeff

thanx for the reply! but unfortunatley i live in the uk where
collareds are only available around april time, for what
reason i do not know? but for the time being i am studying as
information as i possibly can about this species and to be
honest i really cant wait to get a pair cause i have fell
in love with these little critters..

Thanx agian for the info

Regards Darren

You're welcome Darren. I hope you can get a pair soon which you will enjoy tremendously. Keep on reading up on Collared Lizards because by the time you decide to get your pair you will be well educated in keeping them.

Jeff